Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issues related to a video posted to You Tube by Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Eto

REPORTER: My question is in relation to the incident involving Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Seiichi Eto, a topic that was raised this morning. I understand that Special Advisor Eto agreed to a doorstep interview earlier. During this he said that he spoke with you over the phone. Could you explain to us the details of the phone call?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, let me clarify this once again. As I said this morning, the comments made by Special Advisor Eto represent nothing more than his personal views and do not reflect the policies of the Japanese Government. As for the Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, the Government's stance is as the Prime Minister himself has explained. Japan will offer explanations humbly, respectfully and sincerely and seek to obtain understanding. I made a phone call to Special Advisor Eto and asked him what he truly meant. In response, Mr. Eto said that he had given his personal opinions. In light of this, I instructed Mr. Eto to retract his personal comments, given that he is a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and therefore a member of the Cabinet. I believe that Special Advisor Eto understood this and is currently retracting his comments.

(Abridged)　

REPORTER: Mr. Eto stated a number of things including criticism of the U.S. He also said that it is only natural for the Prime Minister to visit Yasukuni Shine, and that there would be no limit to China's expansion. Which part did the Government think was particularly problematic, and which part did Mr. Eto retract?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It was not appropriate for Mr. Eto to give his personal opinion on the Yasukuni Shrine issue. I instructed Mr. Eto to retract his personal comments, given that he is a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and therefore a member of the Cabinet.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have another question on the same topic. Since Mr. Eto has now retracted his comments following your request, do you consider this matter closed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have already been informed that the video was removed.

REPORTER: I understand you cautioned Mr. Eto because it was inappropriate for a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister to provide a personal opinion on the issue of Yasukuni Shrine. When you cautioned Mr. Eto, did he promise that he would refrain from posting personal views on the issue in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What I cautioned Mr. Eto on was the content of his comments. During his press conference, the Prime Minister informed the public including the reason for his visit to Yasukuni Shrine. The visit was to pray for the souls of the war dead and to pay his respects. Also, the Prime Minister stated that he pledged to build a country which will never wage a war again. This is the view of the Cabinet. Mr. Eto provided his own personal opinion on YouTube, but given that he is a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and therefore a member of the Cabinet, I instructed Mr. Eto to retract his personal comments,

REPORTER: I would first like to confirm that you yourself viewed the video in question.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, of course.

REPORTER: After hearing the comments and watching the entire video, which part did you think was inappropriate.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It was inappropriate in the sense that his views differ from those of the Prime Minister. As for the Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, the Prime Minister informed the public of the reason for his visit. The Prime Minister also stated that Japan will offer explanations humbly, respectfully and sincerely, and seek to obtain understanding from our neighboring countries. Therefore, it was inappropriate for a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister to express a personal view when it differs from the views of the Government. 
 
REPORTER: Please allow me to ask another question on this topic. Setting aside whether such comments were appropriate or not, the comments risk creating some distance between Japan and the U.S. Furthermore, I assume that the U.S. itself is also somewhat concerned that these comments have given China and other countries some kind of leverage. In light of the international situation related to this matter, do you have any views?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, we must naturally provide persistent explanations regarding the Prime Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine in order to gain understanding. In my opinion this is the most important thing.

REPORTER: Does the Japanese Government intend to provide some form of explanation to the U.S. Government about the series of response surrounding comments Special Advisor Eto made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The U.S. Government has not said anything about this, so we do not intend to provide further explanation.

(Abridged)　

REPORTER: Do you believe that this will affect Japan-U.S. relations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Given that the comments were retracted today, I do not believe that the comments will have much effect on Japan-U.S. relations.